Magaliesburg, the town, sits at the feet of the Magaliesberg Mountains. The difference in spelling is thanks to the meaning of the suffix in Afrikaans with ‘burg’ meaning town and ‘berg’ meaning mountain.
The Magaliesberg Range is 120 kilometres long stretching from Rustenburg to Pretoria with the highest peak being 1 780m above sea level. There is a large amount of rain in the area allowing for bubbling streams that flow on either side of the hills and this combined with the moderate climate, makes for a beautiful, tranquil and relaxing escape. Retiring South African’s agree too - it has become a popular place to retire to as well as a mecca for artists.
The small town is only an hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, making it a popular destination for city slickers who want an escape from city life. There are loads of places offering different styles and prices of accommodation and activities - from hot air ballooning to hiking trails, fine dining and spas - there is something for everyone! Visit the Wonder Cave near Muldersdrift - it is one of the show caves of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Magaliesburg’s origins are not in tourism however, but rather in the mining and agricultural sectors. The Blaauwbank mine here is the oldest mine in Gauteng, with gold having been discovered over one hundred years ago. Citrus fruit, tobacco, sub-tropical fruit, beef, maize and vegetables are grown here and are the main source of income for the area.
- ride the Reefsteamers steam train from Johannesburg to Magaliesburg and back (http://www.reefsteamers.com)
- visit the Black Horse Brewery just outside town or drive out to Brauhaus Am Damm on the road to Rustenburg for some interesting craft beers
- visit the Bru House & Diner on the way to Hekpoort for a great range of craft beers and some of the best steaks in the area
- take a trip out to Hartebeespoort Dam for a whole range of things to do
- you are just a short distance from the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves. Don't miss out on visiting them!
- go on a canopy tour
- visit the van Gaalen Cheese farm outside nearby Hekpoort
The mountains, the village and the valley were named after the chief of the Po people, Mohale or Magali. He and his people were living in the area when the Voortrekkers arrived in the early 19th Century.
The tribes of the descendants of the earliest proto- hominids had free reign in this tranquil valley. They fished the clear streams and hunted the vast herds of animals that roamed the plains, with tools made initially from stone and later forged from iron.
More recently, the mid 1800’s in fact, great tribes of the north swept through the valley. The tribes moved on, and peace returned, but not for long, as war broke out again, when Mzilikazi’s impis attacked.
On 1 October 1899, war between the British and the Boer Republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State, was declared. Within a year, blood and human lives were lost between these two warring parties, in the Magaliesberg valleys, at Kommando Nek, Nooitgedacht and in many of the deep gorges and high ridges along the mountain side.
Peace was restored by 1902 and Magaliesburg returned to being a quiet mining town. Magaliesburg has the oldest mine in Gauteng.
